The Z287-1820 is the 18-position high-RCF microtube rotor for the Hermle Z287-A compact universal centrifuge — delivering 15,994 × g at 14,000 rpm for microtube workflows that need the high-RCF range typically associated with dedicated microcentrifuges, on a universal-chassis platform that also handles 50 mL and 15 mL workflows. Z287-A only — engineered for the Z287-A spindle. The combination of universal-chassis flexibility and high-RCF microtube capability makes the Z287-A + Z287-1820 a workhorse pairing for shared-use labs.
Key Specifications
| SKU | Z287-1820 |
| Type | Fixed-angle rotor — 18 position |
| Capacity | 18 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes |
| Compatible chassis | Z287-A |
| Angle | 45° |
| Max. operating speed | 14,000 rpm |
| Max. RCF at operating speed | 15,994 × g |
| Max. radius | 7.3 cm |
| Max. tube diameter | 11 mm |
| Acceleration | 19 / 140 sec (standard / extended profile) |
| Deceleration | 21 / 145 sec (standard / extended-unbraked) |
| Tube format | Standard 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtubes (~11 mm OD direct fit) |
| Adapter compatibility | C1008-A5-6 (1 × 0.5 mL, 8 mm OD, 45 mm); C1008-A2-6 (1 × 0.4/0.2 mL PCR, 6 mm OD, 45 mm) |
Compatibility & Configuration
Chassis compatibility — Z287-A family. Engineered for the Z287-A compact universal centrifuge spindle and chamber. Works with the standard Z287-A (115 V) and its 230 V voltage variant.
High-RCF microtube workflows on a universal chassis. Most universal-bench chassis tolerate moderate-RCF microtube rotors (typically 5,000–8,000 × g range). The Z287-1820 pushes the Z287-A to 15,994 × g for microtube workflows — a range typically requiring a dedicated microcentrifuge. This means the Z287-A + Z287-1820 combination can serve as both a universal centrifuge (with 50 mL or 15 mL rotors) and a high-RCF microcentrifuge (with this rotor) on a single chassis.
18-position throughput. Slightly larger batch size than typical 24-position dedicated microcentrifuges in batch shape — 18 positions matches some lab workflow blocks (e.g., 18-tube extraction batches, 18-sample teaching blocks).
Adapter library — smaller microtube formats. The standard C1008 adapter family (cross-compatible across multiple Hermle chassis) supports 0.5 mL and 0.4 / 0.2 mL PCR formats within the 1.5 / 2.0 mL position.
Application Profile
High-RCF microtube prep on shared bench — when a lab needs occasional high-RCF microtube workflow but doesn't have throughput justification for a dedicated microcentrifuge, the Z287-A + Z287-1820 delivers the RCF range without the second-instrument cost.
Cell-pellet recovery at high RCF — bacterial culture pellets, mammalian cell pellets where the >15,000 × g range produces tight pellets that resist disturbance during supernatant removal.
Nucleic-acid extraction post-precipitation — DNA / RNA pellet recovery after ethanol or isopropanol precipitation; the high-RCF range produces compact, well-defined nucleic-acid pellets at the tube bottom.
Protein precipitation pellets — TCA, acetone, ammonium-sulfate precipitation pellet recovery at high RCF for resistant pellet formation.
Mixed-workflow chassis consolidation — when a single Z287-A serves both clinical-research 50 mL workflows (Z287-0450H rotor), 15 mL workflows (Z287-0815 rotor), and high-RCF microtube workflows (this Z287-1820), the chassis bench footprint is shared across all three workflow types via rotor swap.
Educational and training labs — undergraduate molecular biology and biochemistry teaching where the universal chassis + high-RCF microtube rotor lets students experience high-RCF microtube prep without committing the lab to a dedicated microcentrifuge.
Loading & Balance
18-position symmetric loading. Pair opposites (positions 1+10, 2+11, etc.) by tube mass. At 14,000 rpm and 7.3 cm radius, balance precision matters — small mass imbalances translate to substantial inertial asymmetry. Pre-balance to within rotor tolerance.
Adapter symmetry. When using C1008 adapters, paired positions must use matching adapter + tube combinations.
Tube cap confirmation. All tubes must be securely capped before spinning at 14,000 rpm — high-speed microcentrifuge speeds risk sample aerosol from partially seated caps.
Selectable accel/decel. Z287-A chassis profiles apply; the unbraked extended-decel profile (145 sec) preserves loose pellets and density layers — useful for nucleic-acid pellets that can resuspend on hard braking.
Ordering & Configuration
Z287-1820 ships as the rotor body alone. Adapters (C1008-A5-6, C1008-A2-6) for smaller-volume tubes are sold separately.
Confirm at quote: chassis pairing (Z287-A confirmed), workflow RCF requirement (confirms the high-RCF microtube rotor is the right pick vs the moderate-RCF Z287 microtube options), adapter inventory for smaller-volume formats, and lead time.
Warranty: 5-Year Hermle warranty (3 years full + 2 years drivetrain) on the rotor body.
Z287-A microtube and tube workflow rotor stack:
- Z287-1820 (this product) — 18 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL high-RCF microtube rotor at 15,994 × g
- Z287-2420 — 24 × 1.5 / 2.0 mL microtube rotor (higher position count, typically lower RCF ceiling)
- Z287-24SC — 24 × 2.0 mL spin column rotor for extraction kit workflows
- Z287-3202 — 4 × 8 PCR-strip rotor for PCR setup and cleanup
The Z287-1820 is the high-RCF microtube workhorse on the Z287-A; pair with the 24SC and 3202 for a full molecular-biology rotor stack on a single universal chassis.
